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Military news…
Urban warfare expert offers Ukrainians tips on battling Russians in close combat
“Urban combat is the great equalizer.”
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(Everyone thought they were killed by a Destroyer of the coast.)
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Some US Olympians Enlist to Make It to the Games
Since the Army’s World Class Athlete Program started in 1997, about 60 Winter and Summer Olympians have taken advantage of the opportunity.
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Thousands of Veterans May See Disability Deadline Waived as Supreme Court Takes Up Case
The justices have accepted a case that could affect veterans who didn’t file within a year of leaving the military and have good reasons for missing their deadline.
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| Ukrainian Navy Says Snake Island Border Guards Still Alive The 13 Snake Island soldiers, previously reported as killed, “were taken captive by Russian occupiers,” Ukraine confirmed on Monday, Feb. 28. |
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(Russia would consider it an act of war the no fly zone was in acted.)
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I promised you another excerpt from my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the military: In and Out of the Trenches of life. here it is.
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Appendix
Resources for the Military
The following pages are resources for the military and are very extensive in that it covers many areas of a military person’s life. Use this to guide you with whatever help you need. Each site has been individually screened. Be aware that some links may not be in existence since this publication. If some links don’t work below, put them in your browser. They seem to work there.
As you know there are many sources for the military. I have sorted them out and only put in the most important ones for you to use.
Crisis Hot Line: 1-800-272-8255 Texting…838255
This is probably the most important resource you will find. If you are depressed, or know someone who is military who is battling depression, use this hot line to get help immediately. They also have a website: http://www.veteranscrisisline.com
General links that will help you with just about everything:
http://www.military.com – Best military link there is. Highly recommended.
http://www.maketheconnection.com – Connect with family and friends here, and it is also full of helpful information for the military.
http://www.militaryonesource.com – Full of helpful thoughts and ideas that cover most problems the military may face.
http://www.militaryfamily.org – Covers some of the unusual aspects of a military life, like help for the kids, and spouses.
http://www.usa.gov/veterans – Help with burial and survivor benefits; employment, health issues, housing help, and getting your documents and personnel records.
http://www.vfw.org – General helping site for many issues a veteran faces. It has lots of discounts as well.
Financial help for loans of any kind:
http://www.veteran.com/va-loan-guide – Very good in explaining why to do a VA loan. It talks about lower rates, lower payments, no money down, etc. Good resource.
http://www.vamortgagecenter.com – Goes deeply into why you should seek a VA loan over a conventional loan; rated for great service in a survey.
http://veteransunited.com – Home loans for veterans.
http://www.pioneermilitaryloans.com – Quick small personal loans from $1,000to $10,000.
http://www.armedforceslaons.com – Another company that makes small loans up to $5,000. You can personalize your loan to fit your needs. No credit; no problem.
http://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans – Covers all phases of home loans including refinancing, help for disaster relief, etc. Good site.
http://www.newdayusa.com – You see this a lot on TV. Rear Admiral Tom Lynch (ret.) is the chairman of the company and he is highly respected.
Health
http://www.health.mil – Official website of the Military Health System, and the Defense Health Agency.
http://www.psychiarity.org.military – Excellent resource for those seeking help with any mental health issues. Full of information and other resources.
http://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/gethelp.asp – Great link for mental health. I also like the feature about helping the veteran with burial situations, including burial flags, burial site locations, services, headstones, etc. I haven’t seen any other site that is so helpful with this.
http://www.apa.org/about/gr/issues/military/critical-need.aspx – Direct article of the American Psychological Association dealing with suicide.
http://utsandiego.com/news/2014/jan/26/mental-health-support-online-for-military-spouses/ – Excellent article for spouse of deployed military who need mental health help. I highly recommend this link.
Burial benefits
http://explore.va.va.gov/memorial-benefits – Complete coverage for burial. Highly recommend this link for those seeking help.
http://www.neptunesociety.com/veteran-cremation – Cremation specialists.
http://www.military.com/benefits/burial-and-memorial/burialallowance.html – Taken from www.military.com but is specific about burial allowances and fees that could be paid to the families.
(Again, if any of these links don’t seem to work, put them in your browser. I have been able to get to all of them by doing that.)
http://www.mrfa.org/death.info.htm – This is the best link I have found that gives you detailed information in detail on what to do if your loved one passes away. I highly recommended it.
Disability benefits
http://www.military.com – This is a repeat link from above, but it is a link that has everything, including disability benefits you need as a military person.
http://www.veteransbenefitslawfirm.net/veterans-compensation-benefits – This is a great link for veterans who have been denied compensation benefits. This firm charges only 20% of your lump sum payment that you get at the beginning. Many lawyers will seek monthly payments for the life of the settlement. I am in the process of appealing my denial for compensation right now. I may contact this source myself.
Job hunting
http://www.resumeengine.org – Excellent site for military people seeking help in finding a job and putting together a great résumé. Highly recommend.
http://www.indeed.com/jobs – Another great spot to actually find what job openings there are. You just put in the area where you live and go for it.
http://www.military.com/jobs – Here is that great site again. It has a page just for finding jobs.
http://www.veterans.jobs/jobs/ – A very good site to narrow down openings in your area. It notes the big companies that reach out the most to veterans for hiring.
http://www.hireveterans.com – Great site to find jobs in your area. Lists any state that has openings and what the jobs are. Has the latest news in the business world as far as jobs.
http://jobcenter.usa.gov/resources-for-veterans – Good site to look at the jobs and how to find them.
http://www.va.gov/vetsinworkplace/resources.asp – A pretty complete list all of the veteran connect sites that help with jobs.
http://www.militaryconncetion.com – Good site that lists many types of jobs and helps with contacting employers.
Job hunting for spouses
http://www.operationwearehere.com – Excellent site for spouses to find out how to do résumé and job hunt. Highly recommended.
http://www.militaryhealthmatters.com – Not sure how the URL title fits job hunting, but it is another great site for spouses to find help in job hunting. Highly recommended.
Health insurance
http://www.insurance.healthplans.com – This is only needed if your don’t have TRICARE or the Veterans health care program. There is a strict timeline to enroll in this, so be sure to check when you can enroll.
http://www.usaa.com – This site has dental, vision, and Medicare coverage. They also have auto, home, and life insurance.
Life insurance
http://www.benefits.va.gov.insurance – Run by the Department of Veterans Affairs. This is a good site to answer all your questions about life insurance.
Auto insurance
http://www.usautoinsurancenow.com – This is a quote site. I have it going to my home state, but just put in your zip code for where you live and it will show you discounts in your home state. They also have some very good hints on how to save money when getting your auto insurance.
http://www.usaa.com – This site has come up for other categories. A good site with very competitive rates. Go to “insurance,” click on “auto insurance,” and it will take you to that page.
Education
http://www.amu.apus.edu – This is American University. They have an extensive online program just for veterans. I suggest you take courses from this even if you are still in the service. It will prepare you for the private sector. They allow credits for some work experiences.
http://www.trident.edu/marketing/veterans-benefits – Trident University was rated as the most affordable online college. There are many online courses to choose from. Good choice.
http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill – This is one of the most important sites for you if you’re choosing to go to college. The GI bill is a wonderful way to be able to afford college and get your degree. Highly recommended. I used this source myself, and I didn’t have to pay back a dime because I went into education. Check your fields of study to make sure you are OK for not paying back.
http://www.gijobs.com/state-education-benefits-for-veterans – This is a great site for finding education benefits in your home state. It has all fifty states listed and connecting links for you to go to and find military education benefits.
(With any online schooling, be sure the check out their credibility.)
PTSD help
http://www.maketheconnection.net – Wonderful site to find the help you need. When you get to the site, click on “Conditions” and then click on PTSD. You will also see many other issues a veteran may be facing. Highly recommended.
http://www,familyofavet.com – Great help here for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), and TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury.)
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/professional/web-resources/military-resources.asp – Dedicated totally to help veterans with PTSD. Highly recommended. This is a page from the Department of Veterans Affairs website.
http://www.afterdeployment.dcoe.mil – More help with PTSD and other mental health issues.
http://www.usacares.org – A crisis-centered site. Quick help for those in dire need of housing, mental health help, etc.
Veteran care facilities
http://www.topveterancare.com – I recommend for information about assisted living, etc. Put in what type of care you’re seeking and then put in your zip code. It will show you options for your area.
Help with money and investing
http://www.themilitarywallet.com/benefits-for-military-veterans/ – Great site to find out about discounts, investing, taxes, total list of benefits, etc. Highly recommended.
Connecting with other military people you have met
https://www.vetfriends.com/?source=bingvetfriends – Find buddies you had while in the military.
http://www.rallypoint.com/ – Another great site I personally use. I have connected with many military people right in my hometown through this site.
Wounded warrior help for families and military
http://www.woundedwarriorproject.com – This is a nonprofit charity that reaches out to wounded warriors to find help for them in many ways. As with all charities, you may want to check their status as far as integrity, etc. It is always wise.
http://www.uswoundedsoldiers.com – Help specifically for those deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan who were wounded. Great help in many areas.
http://www.heartbeatforwarriors.org – A different kind of help with programs like “Back in the Saddle” program for soldiers to feel the comfort of riding, scuba diving where soldiers can move limbs that didn’t work very well before, and morale building programs to help the warrior feel wanted. Highly recommended.
http://www.victoryforveterans.org. This is my favorite, not because I am a board member for them, but how they will help every veteran no matter what their needs are. Highly recommended.
Help for parents in the military with children
http://www.branchta.org – Great site to find assistance for your disabled children if you’re a parent and a veteran.
http://www.survivingdeployment.com – Great site to help families who have faced deployment.
http://www.militaryfamily.org – This is a wider base type site to help families in many areas like scholarships for spouses, activities for the children of military, adoption, marriage/divorce, survivors, wounded, and caregivers. Highly recommended.
http://www.parentcenterhub.com – Find resources throughout the United States. Just put in your state to find your local Parent Center. They help in many areas.
http://www.militarychild.com – This is a site helping the children in the military to find places to get their education. Due to many new assignments in the family, this is a vital site for the students.
Housing allowance and benefits
http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil – This is a site to check on how to get housing allowance, per diem, etc.
http://www.myarmybenefits.us.mil – Another good site to check on what benefits you deserve.
Blind veterans
http://www.bva.org – The only congressionally-chartered veterans service organization dedicated to helping with the needs of our blind veterans and their families. Highly recommended.
Welcome-home videos
http://www.welcomhomeblog.com – Yes, you’ve seen those wonderful videos of soldiers returning home to surprise their families. Well, this site has them all in one spot. Get out your hankie and enjoy.
Free books for soldiers
http://www.booksforsoldiers.com – I love this site. It is a place for soldiers to request free books to read. I know the down time a soldier has. I read many books while in Korea. Support this site by donating books, and use this site if you need a book to read. Highly recommended.
Places for women veterans to volunteer
http://www.armywomen.org – Great place to find ways to help others. This nonprofit organization reaches out into the communities and helps like meals on wheels, clothing mending, helping in hospitals, etc.
Help finding a partner for life
http://www.militarycupid.com – Yup! There’s even a site for you to connect with others for dating purposes. It is like the other online dating sites except it concentrates on military people.
Social networks
www.rallypoint.com/join/spc-douglas-bolton
This first one is my favorite by far. It is a social network just for veterans. There are over 600,000 members there. You talk about military, not what you had for breakfast this morning. I have made many close friendships there.
In Facebook you just put in the following pages in your search area and they should open up to you:
Navy
Air Force
Army
Marines
National Guard
Navy Seals
Coast Guard
You can also put in a division you may have been connected to like: 1st Cavalry.
Here are some individual sites I have looked up that are very good for veterans:
The Veterans Site
Concerned Veterans of America
Soldiers’ angels
Stop soldier suicide
Hiring our Heroes – great page to go to for help in job hunting
Blue Star Entrepreneurs – another good page to find help in job hunting
Army source one
U.S. Forces Korea
U.S Department of Veterans Affairs
Operation Gratitude – Care packages for the troops. Like the page to show your support and get involved.
Other places in the social networks you can connect to. I am only listing the top five. No recommendations. Check them out on your own.
Twitter (Many military connections here. You just have to search.)
LinkedIn (Business connections)
Pinterest (Pictures)
Goggle +
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Now that is severely long, but I want you to see how extensive my appendix in the back of the book is. It covers everything you can think of. Just this alone is worth the price of the book.
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Come back often to see more information on the book better yet…Go to the top of this page and click on Subscribe. When you do all future posts will come directly to your inbox.
(Just do it.)
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Checking in on you…How are you doing? Are you struggling with memories?
FEAR NOT!
There are over 14,051 fellow veterans here who have your back. (We increased by 56 since Monday. Pretty exciting. )
If you are battling mentally, because of your love for others, but it isn’t working, GET HELP!!
Here is a toll free number that you can call 24/7. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you, and they will no hang up until they know you are OK.
1-800-273-8255…texting 838255
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Remember:
You are never alone.
You are never forsaken.
You are never unloved.
And above all…never, ever, give up!
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+If you like what you see, please subscribe at the top of this page where it says, “subscribe.” When you do, all future posts will come directly to your inbox. Also, if you know some else who could benefit from this site, please let them know.